Disneyland, a rite of passage for many Southern Californians, celebrated its second proper grand opening a year ago this week on April 30. After a pandemic-induced closure of just over 13 months, a park that since 1955 has put forth the argument that there is a better, more triumphant version of reality unlocked its turnstiles to teary-eyed, COVID-weary fans.
For Disneyland, what followed the reopening in a time of global uncertainty was great change inside and outside the parks.
Just last week, as Disneyland brought back a number of evening shows — including the charming Main Street Electrical Parade, reimagined with a new finale that champions the we're-all-in-this-together mantra of "It's a Small World" — the company found itself thrown into the center of our country's cultural wars.
